Chapter 11 - The Durkcavarn

General Summary

The next day, the party awoke to get to the Temple of Maclir in Tratlata. The priests gave incantations, telling the party to be wary that there were momentary side effects to using the teleporter. Primarily, they'd be disoriented and feel like the world was upside down. The priests then lit the beacons while the party stood on small pillars. Then, they felt the tugging, and soon found themselves within the Durkcavarn. In the dark and cold, the party began to feel like they were being watched.
Indeed they were. Theeden began to inspect a strange stalagmite, which turned out to be a Roper, which tried to consume the party. However, the party made work of the Roper and some black puddings with spells and their weapons. However, it injured the party severely, and they decided to make a long rest to recuperate themselves. During the watches for their sleep, Rashida noticed the party was being watched from the distance. When the party woke up, she noted it, and told the party to move cautiously.
They pushed forward until they came across a very wet bridge. On the walls above them the party noticed blue and white spiders watching them. Theden made a run for it, but was soon cornered as the spiders "teleported" across to him. Rashida used her spell, Control Water, to part the water on the bridge and helped the party come across dry land instead. They were momentarily flanked by the spiders. Creethens became a giant eagle to scare away the spiders but instead was webbed up and nearly fell to his death until he cut himself out. Eventually, with clever maneuvering, the party defeated the spiders.
Which led to the next area: Creethens as an eagle found a strange ruin, a temple to a dark elven goddess with multiple arms surrounded by piles of treasure. Ascus rode on Creethens to survey. However, they were spotted by Driders who shot the two down. Rashida used her magic carpet to save them from falling to their doom. However, it also meant the party gave away their position within the ruin. The Driders looked at the intruders, and began to speak in Elvish toward Theden.

"You brought a High Elf to taint our sacred grounds? You shall certainly be destroyed."

The Driders immediately went on the attack, placing Faerie Fire on the party. Creethens did this back at them. Ascus used Hold Person on one of the Driders to keep it in place while Creethens used suggestion on the second Drider to disarm their sword. Theden would grab the sword, causing the second Drider to chase him. The Driders were split off and the party efficiently outsmarted them, using the terrain of the ruins to their advantage to gain higher ground and ensnare the dreaded half-spiders. During the fighting, Creethens snuck away to try and grab some of the gold. Unbeknownst to Creethens, the gold was warded by an alarm spell. So when he picked up some of the treasure, an alarm went off, alerting the Dark Elves to the party's presence throughout the Durkcavarn.
So the party captured as much treasure they could grab and, with Theden shooting a fiery arrow at some oil he laid toward the entrance of the ruins, they escaped with a fiery distraction while the Drow were slowed from capturing them. They ran toward the bridge, running back to safety, unknowing of any other exits away.

Jethro: I have a bad feeling this will be a war of attrition for our heroes.

Theodora: The Dark Elves are not a kind people. Impeding on their territory, especially if you are High Elf, is a crime.

Jethro: Remind me to never cross a Dark Elf.

Theodora: Unfortunately, there are more where that came from. It seems our heroes will have to face the Dark Elves in one way or another. I pray the paladin Ascus does not get them into deeper trouble.

In World Date

September 11th-12th, 2003

Report Date

06 Dec 2020

Drider by BenWootten

The adventurers traversed into the temple of Lolth, angering the Driders that protected the temple's treasures.

Characters in this adventure:

• Rashida is a loyal human disciple of Vanu-Am, the hidden goddess of fate, who has saved her from death. Rashida devoted her life to hermitage, walking around the coast of Dragoncrest to secretly assist the misfortunate. She hails from Tamay.

• Theden is an elven acrobat and storyteller, hailing from Potea. He has a strong ethical code, looking out for the little guy and does the right thing more often than not.

• Creetens is a triton bard, one who prefers to enchant his problems away. He is a charlatan and a thief, but as well as a proper performer and musician. He was exiled away from the triton kingdom for his ravaging behavior.

Allies of the Party:

• Ascus the Brave. Once a drunkard, Ascus turned aside that life and found purpose as a hero. He swore his life to Morganine and fights for her honor and glory.